Shoes cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

A shoe cleaning machine is provided with one group of brushes ( 11 ) comprising at least one brush ( 11 ) with bristles aligned in a certain direction ( 11   a ) and at least a second brush ( 11   b ) with bristles aligned perpendicular to those of the preceding brush. A pan ( 13 ) for collecting dirt is positioned under the group of brushes and at least one nozzle ( 11   c ) sprays water on the group. An operator arm ( 8 ) carries at least one last ( 4 ) to which a shoe to be cleaned is tied: the arm has a linear actuator ( 9 ) with certain positions of extension, and is also intermediate to, a rotary actuator ( 10 ) which rotates the arm with respect to the frame ( 1 ) of the machine, to move the said lasts from the loading station ( 3 ) to the group of brushes and on to the discharge ( 16 ). In a second embodiment the machine presents a washing and/or drying station ( 41 ) that includes at least one mobile nozzle ( 42 ), made to cover the external surface of the shoe, which is rotatable by a rotary actuator ( 33 ) on the center line of the last ( 4 ).

The invention concerns: a machine for cleaning shoes, that is, a machinesuitable for cleaning mud and dirt from shoes, in particular sportsshoes, also drying and distributing protective substances, automaticallywith individual shoes, pairs or groups of shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The state of the art does not comprise machines dedicated to cleaningshoes, particularly sports shoes: athletes have to perform the cleaningand care of their shoes by hand.

There are, however, machines for cleaning work shoes of workers in thefood industry, where the worker transits trough a set location wearingthe shoes or boots, where a series of brushes and jets of water cleanthe soles and the upper part of the shoes or boots. There are, finally,also machines for polishing shoes, typically used by shoe polishers,having brushes, with vertical axis, that rotate around the shoe worn bythe user, which apply the polish and subsequently perform the finalpolishing.

Finally, in the sports environment, the task of cleaning the shoes is along and laborious one, especially in sports played in grassy fields,and, whilst the better paid athletes can afford to delegate the saidtask to the appropriate personnel, amateur or hobby athletes have toperform the task in the changing rooms after the game or sporting event,or later at home. In this case the mud and dirt often dries out on theshoes, making the subsequent task of cleaning the shoes longer and moredifficult.

Such state of the art may be subject to considerable improvementregarding the possibility to free the user to have shoes on during thecleaning and to make more fast and reliable the cleaning of the shoesespecially sports shoes.

From what has been said so far, the necessity arises of resolving thetechnical problem of finding a machine configured in such a way as toenable the shoe, or one or more pairs of shoes to be gripped, whichremoves the dirt also by means of washing, and applies the finalprotective care.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention resolves the said technical problem by adopting: a machinefor cleaning shoes, comprising at least one group of brushes, forcleaning the soles and uppers, characterised in that the said groupconsists of at least one brush with the bristles aligned in a certaindirection, at least one second brush with the bristles aligned in adirection perpendicular to the bristles of the previous brush; a pan forcollecting the dirt positioned under the said group of brushes; at leastone nozzle for spraying water on the said group; an operator armcarrying at least one last, to which a shoe to be cleaned is tied: thesaid arm consisting of a linear actuator having fixed positions ofextension, even intermediate, and a rotary actuator to rotate the saidarm with respect to the frame of the machine, to move the said lastsfrom the loading station to the group of brushes and to the discharge.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: the said group of brushesconsisting of a single brush with radial bristles and axial bristlesassembled to and rotating on the same axis.

Adopting, in another and preferred embodiment: the said brushes,advantageously, subdivided in two groups with respective axes ofrotation perpendicular to each other and positioned in proximity to thesaid collecting pan.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: the shoes positioned on a pair oflasts side by side, so conformed as to be progressively positionedsimultaneously by corresponding pairs of the said group or groups ofbrushes.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: beneath the said pan there being ashredding device for the discharge of the mud and dirt directly to thesewer.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: a further set of brushes fordrying, oiling and polishing of the shoes.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: the further set of brushesconsisting of a single brush with radial bristles and axial bristlesassembled to and rotating on the same axis.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: a storing area associated with it,having a conveyor on which a number of shoes already placed on theirrespective lasts can be placed; the feed to the storing room is handleddirectly by the cleaning machine; each last or pair of lasts has atleast one bayonet coupling to attach it to the operator arm.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: the said bayonet coupling having anelectrical connection and/or one or more connectors for pressurisedfluids.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: each last having a manual devicefor winding the shoe laces, consisting of a pin or spindle onto whichthe laces are wound and of a device for detecting the fixing of theextremities of the laces; the said mechanism possibly having anelectrical sensor for detecting whether the extremities of the laces arefixed or not.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: each last having a motorised pin orspindle to wind the laces of the respective shoe; the said electricalmotor possibly having an output torque control.

Adopting, in a preferred embodiment: each last having an actuatorcylinder to advance the extremity of the said last.

Adopting, finally, in a preferred embodiment: each last being encasedwith an inflatable elastic sock, shaped to grip the shoe from insideand/or as a seal against the entry of water.

The advantages achieved with this invention are: at the end of thecleaning cycle the user receives his pair of shoes which have beencompletely cleaned from mud and dirt and protected with suitablesubstances without labouring and being able, during the operation of themachine to dedicate himself to other matters; the cleaning of the soleoccurs entirely by the action of the two groups of brushes dedicated tothis purpose, with horizontal and vertical axes, in order to reach allthe areas of soles with spikes; the dirt collected is treated by theshredder inside the machine and discharged into the sewer withoutblocking it; the shoes to be cleaned are housed in a conveyor whichbrings them as required to the loading point of the shoe cleaningmachine, thereby making it unnecessary for the user to wait by themachine during the cleaning cycle of his or other athletes' shoes; thelast with extendible cylinder enables a certain range of numbers ofshoes to be fixed, as opposed to the single number of the fixed form;the inflatable sock ensures perfect sealing during the washing phase,and when used on its own, also enables a certain range of numbers to befixed; the initial manual or driven winding of the laces of the shoesprevents damaging the brushes of the machine and/or the shoesthemselves.

Finally, in the embodiment with the washing and/or drying station, theshoe to be cleaned are turned by the rotary actuator to expose theentire surface to the nozzle to enable, together with the motion of thenozzle on its guides, the complete coverage of the shoe during washingand/or drying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated, purely by way ofexample, in the ten tables of drawings attached, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view along a vertical longitudinal planeof the shoe cleaning machine as described;

FIG. 2 is a schematic section in vertical transverse plane of themachine in preceding Figure;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are two schematic partial longitudinal sections of themachine in the positions of cleaning the sole;

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial longitudinal section of the machine in theposition of drying, oiling and polishing;

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial longitudinal section of the machine in theposition of discharging the cleaned shoes;

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial longitudinal section of an extendiblelast, moreover equipped with a manual device for winding the laces;

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic longitudinal sectional view of the last inthe preceding Figure, also equipped with sock expandable under pressure;

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic longitudinal sectional view of the last inFIG. 7, equipped with a driven device for winding the laces;

FIG. 10 is a transverse partially sectioned schematic view of the groupof lasts in the preceding Figure;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal partially sectioned schematic view of the lastin FIG. 8, equipped with an actuator device for rotating the shoebetween the said last and the operator arm;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view in a vertical longitudinal planeof the shoe cleaning machine as described in a second form of embodimentwith a cleaning and/or drying station;

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the shoe cleaning machine inthe preceding Figure with the last positioned in the station;

FIG. 14 is schematic sectional view in a transverse vertical plane ofthe machine of the preceding Figure, equipped with a pair of actuatorsto rotate the pair of shoes.

DETALIED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Figures show: a frame 1 of the shoe cleaning machine 2, at the frontof which there is, as well as the loading station 3 of the lasts 4, astorage area 5 capable holding up to eight pairs of shoes alreadypositioned on the respective lasts 4; the said storage area consists ofa belt or chain conveyor 6 which carries the lasts, mobile in the frontand/or top side of the machine 2; a bayonet coupling 7 of known type toconnect the pair of lasts holding a pair of shoes to the operator arm 8of the machine; an actuator 9 with linear motion which has intermediatepositions, at whose front extremity there is the said bayonet coupling:it is made to rotate on a horizontal axis A by means of a motor 10 fixedto the said frame 1; a group of lower brushes 11 made to rotate on ahorizontal axis in the lower part of the machine 2, consisting of a pairof brushes positioned side by side axially, each having radial bristles11 a and axial bristles 11 b; nozzles 11 c that spray water on the saidbrushes; a group of brushes 12 with vertical axis positioned,advantageously, at an analogous height to the preceding brushes 11;nozzles 12 c that spray water on the said brushes; a pan 13 forcollecting the water used and the mud and a shredder 14 to break up anddischarge the said mud into the sewer; a group of upper brushes 15 withhorizontal axis of rotation for drying, oiling and polishing, consistingof a pair of brushes positioned side by side axially, each having radialbristles 15 a and axial bristles 15 b; a distributor 15 c of protectivesubstances onto the said brushes; a discharge chute 16 for the cleanshoes, still mounted on the respective lasts 4.

FIG. 7 also shows an actuator cylinder 17 to advance the extremity 18 ofthe last to ensure the secure fixing of the shoe 19, here shown onlypartially; laces 20 of the shoe, wound manually on the spindle 21, whoseextremities are positioned consensus and safety mechanism 23: the saidmechanism consists of a pad 24 to which the elastic force of the spring25 is applied and a protuberance of the pad is positioned close by aproximity sensor 27 for the consensus to initiate the cycle of themachine; FIG. 8 shows a sock 28 made of elastic material with areas ofpredetermined deformation, inflatable with the influx of fluid to fillthe shoe and to prevent the entry of water; a band 29 to fix the saidsock onto the body of the last 4; FIG. 9 shows a rotary spindle 30driven by the motor 31, with torque control, by means of transmission32, to wind the said laces 20 of the shoe to be cleaned.

Finally, FIG. 11 also shows: a rotary actuator 33 placed between the arm8 and the last 4, to enable the rotation of the shoe in the washingstation; a bayonet coupling 34, similar to the coupling 7, made toconnect with the rotating support 35, having, internally, conduits 36 tosupply the cylinder 17 and/or the sock 28; a feed tube 37 and a rotarydistributor 38 of the fluid to the conduit 36; FIG. 12, shows a metallicstructure 39 of the shoe cleaning machine equipped with chain conveyor40 onto which the lasts 4 are supported, that constitute the storagearea of the machine; a washing and/or drying station 41 having nozzles42 mobile along guides with a curved trajectory 43: the said station ispositioned inside a pan 44 for collecting water and mud under which isinstalled the shredder 14; a motor 45 controlling the said mobilenozzles 42, each supplied by means of coaxial flexible tubes 46 with airand water from a pump 47 for the water and by a blower or compressor 49for the drying air; a joint 48 of the two supply lines into the samecoaxial tube 46 or pair of tubes, where it crosses the side panel of thecollecting pan 44.

The shoe cleaning machine operates as follows. In the case of thesimpler machine, consisting of a single pair of rigid lasts not shown,the user places the shoes on the lasts 4, positioned by the machine inthe loading station 3, ties each shoe securely onto respective last,ties the laces to the shoe and initiates the cleaning cycle. Theoperator arm 8 positions the shoes with the soles close to brushes 12 toperform the first removal of mud in a transverse direction, as shown inFIG. 3, then it repositions them by brushes 11, as shown in FIG. 4, toremove the mud with the radial bristles 11 a in the longitudinaldirection, with the suitable use of water sprayed by nozzles 11 c and 12c; the combined use of the said two groups of brushes ensures perfectcleaning even of the soles with whichever arrangement of spikes.Subsequently the shoes are positioned with the upper side facing thesaid brushes 11, as shown in FIG. 1, so that they may be washed andcleaned. In the machines equipped with the upper drying, oiling andpolishing brushes 15 the operator arm 8 rotates and positions the shoesin order to perform the said operation, as shown in FIG. 5. Finally, atthe end of the cycle the machine returns the cleaned shoes to theloading station 3, where the user removes the shoes ready for use. Thesaid operator arm 8 consists of a suitable linear actuator which has thepossibility of defining intermediate positions, such as pneumatic orhydraulic jacks controlled by closed-centre valves and position sensors,alternatively rod actuators driven electrically; the said arm,furthermore, being able to rotate with respect to the frame by means ofthe said motor 10 controlled by an angular positioning device, suchelectric potential reference levels or step motor.

The dirt collected in the pan 13 can be removed by hand or, in machinesequipped with shredder 14, it is conveniently reduced to a pulp so thatit may be discharged into the sewer with the risk of blocking it.

In the machines 2 equipped with the storage area 5 the handling of thelasts 4, conveniently removable from the storage area and from themachine, with the shoes 19 occurs as follows: the user places the shoeson the lasts and positions them on the conveyor 6 of the storage area ofthe loading station 3, and either immediately or at a later time eitherinitiates the cleaning cycle or places the shoes in a waiting positionin the upper part of the storage area; a subsequent user may,immediately afterwards, position the another pair of shoes alreadyplaced on the lasts in the machine by means of the said loading station3; in this way the storage area can be completely filled prior tostarting the automatic cleaning cycle: the shoes to be cleaned are takendirectly from the storage area 5 by the machine, by means of the bayonetcouplings 7 of the lasts and the operator arm 8; at the end of eachcleaning cycle of one pair of shoes the operator arm discharges thelasts with the shoes onto the chute 16 and picks up the next pair ofshoes to be cleaned from the said loading station 3.

The lasts equipped with the manual device for securing the laces 20 areused by the user who winds the laces tightly onto the spindle 21 andthen inserting the extremities 22 of the laces so that they are held bythe pad 24, which, by means of protuberance 26, gives the consensus forstarting the machine; in the case where the lasts may be detached fromthe operator arm 8, the bayonet coupling is equipped with an electricalconnection for the proximity sensor 27. Also, where the lasts areequipped with driven spindles 30, the user places the extremities of thelaces 20 on the spindle which, driven by motor 31, ensures the desiredtraction of the laces, thereby avoiding that they flap free during theaction of the brushes.

The last, when it is equipped with cylinder 17 for the advancement ofthe extremity 18 into the shoe, enables a series of numbers of shoesizes to be gripped, whereas the use of the fixed shape only enables theadequate gripping of a single size of shoe. The shoe and its laces haveto be well gripped to avoid entry of water in the shoe.

The use of an elastic inflatable sock 28 allows the cavity of the shoeto be completely filled in an ideal manner, effectively sealing it.Furthermore, though in a limited manner, the inflatable sock when usedon its own enables a secure grip on a range of shoe sizes, as in thecase of the last with cylinder, but more restricted. The simultaneoususe on the same last of both the said cylinder 17 and sock 28 ensuresboth an ample range of sizes to be griped and the effective sealing ofthe shoes. Advantageously, said sock presents a different changeabilityas the area of the shoe to which it become in contact and as the gripand/or waterproofing have to be make in that area.

In these last cases, as well as the electrical connector, the bayonetcoupling 7 is also equipped with one or more compressed fluidconnectors, at a pressure suitable for both the cylinder 7 and theinflatable sock 28.

In the shoe cleaning machine equipped with the washing and/or dryingstation 41 the last 4 with the shoe is positioned on the arm 8 as shownin FIG. 13: the rotary actuator 33, whose axis of rotation is positionedin the middle of the said last 4, rotates the shoe under the action ofthe jets from the nozzle 42; the surface of the shoe, including thesole, is largely covered due to the mobility of the nozzles on thecurved guides 43 driven by motor 45 with its reciprocating motion.

The rotation made by the said rotary actuator 33 may also be limited toless than one revolution, the positioning of the nozzle 42 along theguide 43 anyway enabling the complete coverage of the surface of theshoe.

To obtain higher cleaning capacity the machine may be equipped with apair of arms 8, each with its own rotary actuator 33 for each individualshoe of the pair; in the cleaning station 41 the central guides 43between the two shoes, FIG. 14, are equipped with two nozzles, one foreach shoe, and the shoes may be made independent in their rotary motion.The washing or drying action may be obtained by feeding the nozzleswater or air or a mixture of the two; the expandable sock 28 ensureperfect sealing of the shoe from the water used for washing avoiding theentry of water in the shoe.

The different washing and drying operations are possible in the saidstation 41 by spraying water during washing and air during drying insequence, whilst the shoe is rotated and the nozzles move along thecurved guides 43; the water and air are supplied to the nozzle 42,advantageously of the combined type, to enable combined action of airand water, by means of the flexible coaxial tube 46.

In practice the materials, dimensions and details of execution may bedifferent from, but technically equivalent to those described, withoutdeparting from the juridical domain of the present invention. Thebristles for example, may be made advantageously either of synthetic ornatural material. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a number ofseparate reservoirs for the distributor 15 c of substances with as manynozzles, when the cycles has to include the use of different types ofsubstance in finishing the shoe.

Furthermore, the last equipped with inflatable sock, in this case filledonly with air, when removed from the arm may remain pressurised, bymeans of a valve, which may be deflated as and when required by theuser: this is necessary when the user wishes to maintain the shape ofthe shoe or to soften them because they are still new. The last mayadvantageously be inflated using a source of compressed air which isexternal and separate from the cleaning machine, even though it is stillequipped with a bayonet coupling for the subsequent use in the machine.

The nozzles 42 may be of the single type for spraying fluid, in whichcase in a station it is possible to perform either washing or drying,with the necessity of providing at least two stations to complete thecycle; alternatively, but with a more complex construction, two separatenozzles can be provided, united in their motion on the curved guides 43.

Finally, the washing and/or cleaning station with the nozzles 42 movingon guides 43 may be obtained with a single nozzle 42 directed towardsthe shoe, that is, radially with respect to the guide 43, and the guidesthemselves may be made to move laterally to be positioned to the sidesor centrally in the zone of the shoe cleaning station 41.

1. Shoe cleaning machine, comprising at least one rotatable brush means,for cleaning soles and uppers, characterized in that the said brushmeans includes at least one brush (11) with bristles aligned in a firstdirection (11 a) and a second brush (11 b) with bristles alignedperpendicular to those of the at least one brush; a collecting pan (13)for collecting dirt positioned under said brush means; at least onenozzle (11 c) to spray water on the said brush means; an operator arm(8) carrying at least one last (4), to which a shoe to be cleaned istied: said arm comprising a linear actuator (9) having more than onefixed position of extension, and a rotary actuator (10) which rotatesthe said arm with respect to a frame (1) of the machine, to move saidlasts from a loading station (3) to the brush means and on to adischarge (16) chute.
 2. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that said brush means are composed in a singlerotatable brush (11) with radial bristles (11 a) and axial bristles (11b) assembled and rotating simultaneously on the same brush axis.
 3. Shoecleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that saidrotatable brush means is subdivided in two groups (11, 12) of rotatablebrushes having respective axes of rotation perpendicular to each otherand positioned in proximity to said collecting pan (13).
 4. Shoecleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that shoes arepositioned on a pair of lasts (4) side by side, so conformed as to beprogressively positioned simultaneously by corresponding pairs of saidbrush means composed in group or groups of brushes (11, 12).
 5. Shoecleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that beneathsaid collecting pan is a shredding device (14) for the discharge of mudand dirt directly to a sewer.
 6. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that there are further rotatable brush means(15) for drying, oiling and polishing shoes.
 7. Shoe cleaning machine,as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the further brush means arecomposed of single rotatable brushes (15) with radial bristles (15 a)and axial bristles (15 b) assembled and rotating simultaneously on thesame brush axis.
 8. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that there is a storage area (5) associated with theshoe cleaning machine, the storage area having a conveyor (6) on which anumber of shoes are placed, already tied on their respective lasts (4)feed of the shoes into the storage area being handled directly by thecleaning machine (2); each last or pair of lasts (4) having at least onebayonet coupling (7) to attach the last or the pair of lasts to theoperator arm (8).
 9. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 8,characterized in that said bayonet coupling (7) has an electricalconnection or one or more connectors for pressurised fluids.
 10. Shoecleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each last(4) has a manual device for winding shoe laces, consisting of a pin orspindle (21) onto which the laces (20) are wound and of a detectingdevice (23) for detecting the extremities (22) of the laces.
 11. Shoecleaning machine, as claimed claim 10, characterized in that said manualdevice (23, 24, 25, 26) has an electrical sensor (27) for detectingwhether the extremities (22) of the laces are fixed.
 12. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each last has adriven spindle (30) for winding laces (20) of the related tied shoe(19).
 13. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 12, characterizedin that said spindle (30) is driven by an electric motor (31) withoutput torque control.
 14. Shoe cleaning machine, comprising at least awashing and drying station (41), for washing soles and uppers,characterized in that the said station (41) consists of at least onewater or air spraying nozzle (42) moving on guides (43) and made tospray the external surface of the shoe: a pan (44) to collect dirtpositioned under the washing or drying station; at least one operatorarm (8) carrying at least one last (4), to which one shoe to be cleanedis tied: said arm comprising a linear actuator (9) having fixedpositions of extension and a rotary actuator (10) to rotate said armwith respect to a frame (39) of the machine, to move said lasts from aloading station (3) to the washing station (41) and to a discharge chute(16); and, a further rotary actuator (33) associated with said operatorarm to rotate said last with respect to the arm.
 15. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 14, whererin the nozzles (43) are mobilenozzles and characterised in that said guides (43) have a curvedconfiguration.
 16. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 14,characterized in that the mobile nozzles (42) are of the combined typesuitable for spraying both water or air, or both simultaneously, so asto provide a single washing and cleaning station (41).
 17. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said last (4) iscarried on said further rotary actuator (33) with an angular rotatingsupport (35) to settle the middle of the shoe on its axis of rotation.18. Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 14, characterized in thatsaid guides (43) move laterally in the zone where the shoes arepositioned in the washing and drying station (41).
 19. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the said guides(43) are central to the washing station (41) with two shoes beingwashed, on which two nozzles (42) are positioned, each pointing to azone where a shoe to be cleaned is positioned.
 20. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each last (4) hasan actuator cylinder (17) to advance an extremity (18) of said last. 21.Shoe cleaning machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that eachlast is covered by an inflatable elastic sock (28), shaped to grip theshoe (19) inside to prevent the entry of water.
 22. Shoe cleaningmachine, as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that each last iscovered by an inflatable elastic sock (28), fitting over the extremity(18) and the actuator cylinder (17), the elastic sock (28) being shapedto grip the inside the shoe to prevent the entry of water.
 23. Shoecleaning machine of claim 20 wherein the last (4) for positioning of theshoes in the shoe cleaning machine (2) has a bayonet coupling (7),characterized in that the bayonet coupling has a valve for retainingpressurized fluid to maintain pressure after use in the shoe cleaningmachine, even when the last is detached from the cleaning machine. 24.Shoe cleaning machine of claim 23 wherein said valve is able to besupplied by a compressed air source external to the cleaning machine.